Tuesday, November 22, 2005

The post where I state my fondness for Craisins.

I like Thanksgiving. I like the premise. We generally forget that we should be thankful for things. Although it has turned into a holiday known for gluttony (yes, Black Friday is part of Thanksgiving, too), it’s nice to know that ‘Thanks’ hasn’t been fully removed from Thanksgiving.

During this time, things get hectic for most of us. For me, my workload increases which only makes my holiday to do time frame that much tighter. I’m actually taking it in stride this year. Dave and Judy will not be able to make volunteering so this Thursday will be an intimate dinner for two which makes my prep work less labor intensive. I’m knocking two items off my Turkey day feast and will not have to make fish stock or chop pumpkin.

I should be done with my prep work Wednesday night and still have time to bake an apple pie for dessert Thursday. I only have 4 presents left to purchase and I plan to pick out our tree next week. I’m still debating on holding a New Years Day brunch. I’d like to but I may be too pooped to prep.

Work hours have extended again. 9-7 is my schedule for the last week. I’ve been coming home too pooped to think about holidays, yet somehow, I’m slowly going through my to do list. Once I get my tree plans done, I’m going to focus on the cards so I can worry about the annual cookie bake off.

I bake cookies for everyone and Lrudlrick believes I go overboard. Personally, I think a box of homemade cookies would be a nice present for a mailman, but apparently, Lrudlrick thinks he’d be happier with something else. Since rules prohibit monetary gifts, what else do you give the postman and delivery person? I can’t be the only New Yorker that gives cookies out.

Anyway, the point of today’s entry is not to state how busy I am but how I am thankful that I am busy. I’m not sure if idle hands are the devil’s workshop but I do know that idle minds make trouble. A clear example is The Cat in the Hat. See what happens when you’re idle?

Aside from the given (Lrudlrick, my family, our health, the roof over our head), this year, I am thankful for the following:

1. Being busyI know I’m always searching for downtime but I know I’m fortunate to have a job and personal life that keeps me running around.

2. My sightMy first 20/20 vision movie and it was Harry Potter in Imax. I know on Imax, I don’t need 20/20 vision. I haven’t missed squirting solution into a white cup searching for an invisible lens at 8 in the morning. Again, if you can get this done, get it done. You will not believe how free you feel. Unchain yourself from the lens case!

3. Dried cranberries These things are awesome! I’m addicted. I’ve eaten a handful every day for the last few months.

4. The brilliant weather we’ve hadOk, today my hair looks like a bird made it into a nest but until the middle of last week, we’ve had some lovely weather days. Sure we had the rain soaked weeks in October but a little rain isn’t a bad thing.Oh, my friend’s father has a theory that global warming is shifting the seasons so that actual seasons begin a month later. So far, it’s been holding true. Let’s see how long winter lasts.

5. My UPS delivery guy, OmarWithout him, my Christmas would be even more chaotic. Omar, you the man.

6. FreshDirectWithout you, I’d be hobbling back with my granny go cart complaining about the lack of variety at my local market.

7. My Woolrich Down PillowThe little sleep I do get is thanks to you, my friend. Thank you. I promise to keep you tucked in the duvet so P-man won’t use you as his royal mattress. Is my dog the only dog that takes pillows off the couch and bed to use as a mattress? He will sometimes wait until I lay a pillow on the ground for him to curl up.

8. Father PatHe left for Japan in September but I’m very grateful that I had the chance to meet him and receive his guidance. He has taught me to be more patient, more compassionate and more simplistic. I know that the parish in Japan are very lucky to have man like him.

9. SnausagesWithout you, giving my dog the horse pill for her allergies would be near impossible.

10. Everything good and bad that has happened in my lifeI know that sounds hokey but every now and then we hit a point in our life where we realize what we have experienced has lead us to where we are now. It may not be where we want to be but we are who we are and what we make of what we have, little or a lot, is what matters. I’m at this point again.Listen, I can watch our president doing a Midvale School for the Gifted and understand the symbolism of the locked door in US/China relations and still find it humorous and not get worked up about it. Life is good. Shit happens but tomorrow is another day.